Kinsman
Alas, my elusive clansman,
You've led me
quite a chase.
I thought that I'd found your courthouse,
But a fire'd destroyed the place.
You constantly kept your bags packed
Although
you had no fame,
And for some inexplicable reason
You twice have changed your name.
You never have owed to any man;
I've found
no nary a bill.
You fathered eleven children
But never left a will.
They say our name's from Europe,
Crossed
the ocean on a ship.
They either lost the name list,
or you, Dad, gave them the slip.
Am I the only one looking?
Other searchers
I can't find.
I ask, was John your father's name,
as I go out of my mind.
They said you had a headstone
In a specific
shady plot.
I've been there now a dozen times;
I can't even fine the lot.
You sent ne'er a single letter
And no-one
has found your Bible.
I'd gladly name you our black sheep
If someone had sued you for liable.
You married your first wife, Mary,
Whose
last name, of course, is "Unknown".
Your following wives were all Sarahs;
The first one just set the tone.
You've cost me uncountable hours,
I travel
and search the 'net.
You want me the quest to abandon
But I haven't given up yet.
For somewhere you slipped up, Granddad,
Yes,
somewhere you left a track.
And, if I don't find you this year,
Why, next year I'll be back!
Orig. by Wayne Hand, RootsWeb.
Rewritten
by N.B.Macdonaldwn
